Page 22 of Starfall

Merwin nodded. “Yeah, I owe you for my attitude when you were just trying to be friends with my sister.”

“I wasn’t trying. I succeeded.”

Gabi snorted. “You did, indeed. So, you mentioned another form?”

“Yeah. I am all small and normal-sized. Hair is lighter, and everything is curvier.” She shrugged.

Gabi squinted and then gasped. “The diner! I knew I had seen someone who reminded me of you. We had a different server, but I saw you moving around the other side of the restaurant.”

“Yeah. That was me.”

Merwin blinked. “Seriously? Can you shift now?”

“No. I am stuck right now. I have been trying to shift back all day, but I overexerted myself last night and don’t have the necessary juice to cram myself into the smaller form. This is my natural one.”

Gabi nodded. “It definitely is.”

Merwin got a cloak off a rack and touched it, shaping it. Emery understood that she was tailoring it by touch.

Emery crouched so Merwin could put it on her shoulders, and then, she settled it, wrapping it and fastening the closure. She smiled. “Thank you again. Now, where am I supposed to go?”

Gabi grinned. “I will walk you there. It’s in this building, but we don’t connect.”

“Which cousin is it this time?”

Rowen said, “It’s my sister’s place. Levelle’s place.”

“Oh. I haven’t met her.”

“Yes, this will be interesting. Do you promise to stay at the salon until I pick you up?”

She lifted her hand with a pinkie up. “Pinkie promise.”

He locked fingers with her and kissed her quickly. “I will be back as soon as I can.”

Emery unlocked her finger. “Sneaky. Go get changed into something pretty.”

Rowen grinned and nodded, leaving the shop in long strides.

Gabi got her walking stick and didn’t stop her grin. “Looks like your season is autumn.”

“Shut up, my queen.”

They walked out and around the building to a separate entrance. A woman, who had the tawny skin and dark hair that Emery associated with Rowen, approached them. “Okay, Cuz. Who is this?”

“This is my friend Emery and also Rowen’s friend Emery.” Gabi chuckled. “She needs her face done.”

“I can do that. Can I see what you are wearing?”

Emery blinked and opened the cloak on her right side so the dress was visible.

“Cool. Full glam it is.”

Levelle walked her to a chair and wrapped a cape over her cloak. Her skin was prepped a few minutes later, and Rowen’s sister got to work. “So, how do you know Gabi?”

Emery said, “We went to school together when she was a wheeled warrior.”

Gabi smiled. “We were friends. She was one of two but definitely the ringleader. It was so nice to have a friend that wasn’t family.”

---